Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1)

KING Of Steel’s win in the 2023 Champion Stakes might be hard to top for Amo Racing, but bagging the two big races at the Curragh last Saturday has to be right up there for Kia Joorabchian’s operation.

Thirty five minutes on from Bucanero Fuerte’s win in the Group 3, Power Blue topped it off in style in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.

Beaten 1/4 favourite True Love was reported to be showing mild lameness on her right fore post race, but that shouldn’t detract from the grit and determination displayed by the Adrian Murray-trained and David Egan-ridden 10/1 chance Power Blue.

Power Blue was one of two runners for connections, along with Do Bronxs, and the pair were prominent from the off, with Ryan Moore sitting on their heels aboard True Love.

Do Bronxs dropped away quickly when the race began in earnest, and it looked as though True Love was coming to win with a furlong to run, but Power Blue was incredibly game, digging deep to repel her challenge by a length and a half.

David Egan said afterwards: “He wears his heart on his sleeve. We went hard all the way with that tailwind. I’m sure we went fast fractions, and we really ran them into the ground. It was a real tough performance.

“I was glad when I jumped out of the gates and the fancied one (True Love) was on my left. I always kept an eye on her. I could have stayed straight, but I just angled over so he would have something to fight against because he loves a battle.

“It’s my first Group 1 for Amo, which is huge for myself and the team. So much hard work goes into it and Kia puts a lot into the game. He obviously had his critics but to give him a day like this is a proud day.

“I knew the second half of the season was going to be better than the first half for us, and the second year better than the first, and the third year better than the second. It’s all about giving it time.”

Meanwhile Adrian Murray commented: “I’ve never had a better day in racing. The two horses looked amazing today.

“I said to Robson (Aguiar) coming down here that he’s got bigger and stronger and is improving all year. He was entitled to take his chance and has never run a bad race. He had a brilliant run in Ascot and is improving all year.”

Kia Joorabchian summed things up when reflecting: “To be honest I’m lost for words at the moment and I don’t usually get lost for words. That was incredible. Robbie (Robson Aguiar) loved the horse. They’ve done an unbelievable job with him. His last run after Royal Ascot, Robbie and Adrian said don’t judge him today. He was sick and was coughing and not 100%. This guy is something special.

“When I bought him Robbie said ‘we’re going to win the Phoenix, Adrian and I with this colt, and then we’re going to the Breeders’ Cup’ so they had the plan even then! I think we put a very, very, good filly out of her stride early on and I think that’s what probably managed to get us through the line.

“Our horses are going to come good midway through, we always knew it was going to be a tough one and to win a Group 3 with Bucanero and a Group 1 with this fellow is a magical day. It’s why we’re here, why dreams come true.

“I’m just so thankful to the guys that work endlessly. Now we have Kevin (Philippart de Foy) in the yard (Freemason Lodge) and the guys have done such an amazing job there.”

Gutsy performance

In a similar vein to Power Blue, the same connections’ Bucanero Fuerte registered a gusty success in the Group 3 FBD Hotels And Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes.

The Amo Racing Limited and Giselle De Aguiar-owned four-year-old triumphed in the big one at this meeting in 2023. Last year he didn’t hit the same heights and he was retired to stud.

That proved unsuccessful and he reappeared with a Naas win in May for Adrian Murray, before a setback forced him out of Royal Ascot for a second time.

Returning to peak performance for this assignment, David Egan wasn’t long about taking this sprint by the scruff of the neck, with Art Power attempting to match strides. Bucanero Fuerte (11/2) went for home with a furlong to run.

It was then left to My Mate Alfie and Kind Of Blue to lay down their challenges inside the final furlong, but there proved to be no living with the winner as he went on to win by a length and a quarter and half a length.

“A lot of credit to Adrian (Murray) and Robson (Aguiar) for the training performance, and David gave him an unbelievable ride – just the way he likes to be ridden,” commented Kia Joorabchian.

“He’s a tough horse who has given us a lot of joy and a lot of tough days as well with health scares. He had a colic issue at Ascot (this year). I’m glad to see him back happy on the track. We’re definitely not taking him out of Ireland now for a while! He could be aimed at the Flying Five as he loves the Curragh.”

Ides Of March (7/2 into 5/2 favourite, beat just one home) was reported by his jockey, Ryan Moore, to have been slowly into stride.

BALLYDOYLE’S couple of juvenile winners are ones we’re likely to hear plenty more about. Mission Central certainly set tongues wagging when spread-eagling the big field Audi Naas Irish EBF Maiden by no less than eight lengths in the hands of Ryan Moore.

It’s not often six furlong contests are won by such margins, but over on the far-side the No Nay Never gelding was looking good up front from some way out.

Returning off a break since his debut Dundalk fifth placing in April, the Gigginstown House Stud-bred juvenile was chased home by Chicago Pope and Whatchadoin.

“We ran him in Dundalk the first day and he was a bit worse than green so that’s why we took him home and gelded him,” explained Aidan O’Brien.

“He’s been perfect since and we’ll go up to a listed or group race with him next time. He’s a very quick horse.”

O’Brien double

In the very next race, it was Wayne Lordan who did the needful for Aidan O’Brien, the yard registering a one-two in the Grand Hotel Malahide Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race, led home by Diamond Necklace.

Lordan (two-day careless riding ban) was on newcomer, Diamond Necklace (9/1), and she beat her stable companion, Ryan Moore’s mount, the experienced Minerva (5/1) by a length and a half.

“She’s a lovely filly with a great pedigree. Her dad didn’t win a maiden for another three weeks so that’s St Mark’s Basilica for you. He went on to win the Dewhurst and how he improved from two to three was incredible,” said the successful handler.

“She could end up being one for the Fillies Mile with maybe a run or two in between. She’s going to be lovely next year.”

Smart debut

Geryon belied market weakness to start his career in promising style, going in at odds of 18/1 in the Revamp Conservation And Restoration Irish EBF Maiden.

Colin Keane was never far away on the Newtown Anner Stud Farm-owned and bred, and Ger Lyons’ charge found plenty for pressure inside the final furlong to account for Kensington Lane and Charles Fort by a length and a quarter and a neck.

“We have two colts that we like, this fella and Res Ipsa who ran at Leopardstown on Thursday. Res Ipsa fluffed his lines so I suppose it took away confidence and hence his starting price, but they are two similar horses,” said Lyons.

“You would like to think there would be plenty of improvement as it was his first day away from Glenburnie and first day on turf.

“The best-looking horse I had by Lope de Vega was Endless Drama who was second in the Guineas, and this is the second best one I’ve had by him. He’s a very good-looking colt.”